Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7

Time is running out on municipal election season, with Election Day set for Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Citizens of Bainbridge, Cloverdale, Fillmore, Greencastle and Roachdale will be choosing their leadership for the next four years.

Citizens of these municipalities still have several days to cast early ballots, with early voting available at the Putnam County Courthouse available from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on the second floor every day through Friday, as well as from 8 a.m.-noon on Monday, Nov. 6.

Additionally, the courthouse and the vote center at the Bainbridge Community Center will also be open for early voting from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday.

A voter must provide a government-issued photo ID before casting a ballot in-person at the clerk’s office or at the polls on Election Day.

Of course, traditional Election Day voting is also available on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. at one of four vote centers throughout the county:

• Putnam County Courthouse,

• National Guard Armory (Greencastle),

• Bainbridge Community Building and

• Cloverdale American Legion.

The National Guard Armory is not one of the usual vote centers, but the county will be using it this year at the request of the City of Greencastle.

It should also be noted that there is not a vote center in every municipality in this year’s election — notably Roachdale and Fillmore. However, registered voters from any of the five municipalities may vote at any of the four centers within the county.

For the 2024 election, the county will go back to its usual eight vote centers that have been approved by the State of Indiana.

Across the county, the City of Greencastle has the most contested races this year, with five of seven races fully contested.

In city-wide races, Republican Lynda Dunbar and Democrat Brian Cox face off for mayor, with Republican Mikayla Johnson unopposed in her bid for clerk-treasurer and six candidates for city council at-large: incumbents Mark Hammer and Darrel Thomas and fellow Republican Katherine Asbell; Democrats Kim Fidler and Gary Lemon; and independent Derek Jorgensen.

In the wards, three of four races are contested, with Democrat incumbent Russell Harvey facing Republican David Masten in First Ward, GOP incumbent Stacie Langdon unopposed in Second Ward, Democrat incubment Veronica Pejril against Republican Tina Nicholson in Third Ward and Republican incumbent Cody Eckert against Democrat Vincent Aguirre in Fourth Ward.

In the Town of Bainbridge, where all candidates are running as independents, current Clerk-Treasurer Bobbi Boller has a challenge from Pamela Kashman. Meanwhile, the slate for the three at-large council positions includes Rodney Fenwick, Douglas Lairmore, Jerry Lents and Joel Thompson.

In Roachdale, there is no candidate for clerk-treasurer, while five people are seeking three at-large council seats — incumbent Katrina Asher along with Zach Bowers, Kyle Crooks, Mark Ketchem and Paul Wireman.

In Fillmore, current Clerk-Treasurer Andi Schardt has a challenge from Pearl Taylor for the position. The town council, meanwhile, is already set, with Jeff Haltom set to join incumbents Jerry Huff and Meridith Trusty.

The slate for Cloverdale features incumbents in each position — only one of them in a contested race. Independent incumbent Scott Stierwalt has a challenge from Republican Scott Wahl for an at-large position on the council. Meanwhile three Republican incumbents — Clerk-Treasurer Kelly Maners, Ward 1 Councilman Larry Fidler and Ward 2 Councilman Brice Howell — are unopposed.

The two remaining Cloverdale council positions are not on this year’s ballot.

Additionally, Russellville now elects its positions in even-numbered years, coinciding with federal, state and county elections.